By The Numbers: Week 12: Matt Ryan, Cedric Benson, Victor Cruz & More

There are always some intriguing numbers that helps lead us to our fantasy football decisions. Let’s take a look at some of them for Week 12:

5 – Consecutive scoreless games for BenJarvus Green-Ellis
If he was guaranteed to get ample touches maybe our view of him would be a little bit different. Unfortunately, one thing we know about New England is that you should take nothing for granted. He’s had as many as 20 carries just twice this season. He’s had eight carries or less in two of his previous four games. There’s too much risk to consider him a must play option.

39 – Roy Helu’s average rushing yards per game over his past three gamesWe have all been waiting for him to take over the lead back duties since he posted 74 yards on 10 carries in Week 2. Since then Mike Shanahan has done nothing but repeatedly frustrate fantasy owners, as he refuses to turn to any running back on a full-time basis. Helu, who should have been given an opportunity by now, continues to wait his turn. He has yet to score a touchdown and has not yet had more than 10 carries in a game. If the Redskins should ever hand him an opportunity he would likely be a good play in all formats. Until that happens there is too much risk involved.

100.5 – Average yards per game for Victor Cruz since Week 8He’s also scored two touchdowns over that span. As a comparison, Hakeem Nicks has 110 yards and 1 TD total over the past two games. In what should be a shootout with the New Orleans Saints on Monday night, Cruz has clearly entrenched himself as a must use option in all formats.

137 – Ryan Fitzpatrick’s career average yards per game against the New York JetsHe’s never posted more than 191 passing yards in a game against the Jets and, with Fred Jackson out for the season, the defense is going to be focused on attacking Fitzpatrick. Maybe if he had some previous success against them, but with everything stacked against him he is an impossible play this week.

192 – Curtis Painter’s total passing yards over the past two games
In fact, he has posted under 100 passing yards in three of his past four games. There has been talk of the Colts making a change, but at this point that doesn’t appear to be the case. With Painter under center it is impossible to trust anyone in the passing game. That means Painter, Pierre Garcon, Reggie Wayne and company should all be safely positioned on your bench.

271 – Number of rushing yards Cedric Benson has had in his last two games against ClevelandThe Browns are allowing 139.3 rushing yards per game this season, fourth most in the league. There’s no reason to think that the Bengals aren’t going to try to ride Benson once again, especially with Andy Dalton having thrown 5 INT in his past two games. Consider Benson a great play this week.

314 – Average number of passing yards per game for Matt Ryan over the past three gamesHe has been on fire since the bye week, including throwing 6 TD. The Minnesota Vikings enter Sunday allowing the fifth most passing yards per game (259.4) and are tied for the league lead in passing touchdowns allowed (19). Ryan is clearly a must start option in all formats.